Program of Priestly Formation (Ascension)

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Program of Priestly Formation

Sacred Scripture imposes on ecclesiastical authorities the obligation of finding worthy and faithful co-workers in the service of God’s People. 486 Diocesan bishops and major superiors should encourage exemplary priests to enter the seminary apostolate and be willing to release them for such service. “Formators are needed who can ensure their full-time presence and who, above all else, are witnesses of how to love and serve the people of God, giving themselves without reserve for the Church.” 487 Seminaries should cooperate with diocesan bishops and major superiors in the preparation of priest formators. 488 Deacons, consecrated men and women, and lay men and women should also be encouraged to prepare for work in seminary formation and receive assistance when appropriate. Ecclesiastical entities and seminaries must honestly plan for the financial commitment that this requires. “The presence of women in the Seminary journey of formation has its own formative significance. They can be found as specialists, on the teaching staff, within the apostolate, within families, and in service to the community.” 489 Facilities should be adequate to the seminary’s needs and suitable for an institution of either secondary or higher education. The seminary buildings should provide an atmosphere conducive to human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral formation. Effective formation requires other physical resources, such as libraries, laboratories, pastoral practica chapels, computer facilities, and other information technology centers.

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Adequate enrollment is a critical component of a healthy priestly formation program. Consistently low enrollment may endanger

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486 See 1 Tm 5:22; Pastores Dabo Vobis , no. 65. 487 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 49. 488 “Those who are marked out to become formators need a specific preparation and generous dedication to this important task.” Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 49. 489 Ratio Fundamentalis , no. 151.

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